Systems and methods to increase battery life in and identify misuse of a wireless device using environmental sensors

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods to increase battery life in and identify misuse of a wireless device using environmental sensors are provided. Some methods can include identifying times during which at least one of a transceiver or a sensing device in a wireless device is operating outside of a low power sleep state, instructing a thermal sensing device in the wireless device to measure ambient temperatures of the wireless device during the identified times, recording the measured ambient temperatures and the identified times in a memory device of the wireless device, identifying a service time of the wireless device corresponding to the identified times, and using the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize a life of a battery of the wireless device or to identify misuse of the wireless device.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wireless devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods to increase battery life in and identify misuse of a wireless device using environmental sensors.

BACKGROUND

It is known that the operating environment and service time of a wireless device will affect the battery life, and accordingly, the functional lifespan, of the wireless device. For example, late in the life cycle of a battery, the operation of a device can vary, which can create the potential for abnormal operation of the device. However, there are no known systems and methods for a wireless device to identify the age of its battery.

Furthermore, it is known that when wireless devices in a system utilize time synchronized wireless communications, each wireless device must be synchronized such that a receiving device knows in advance when a transmitting device is going to transmit a signal to the receiving device so that the receiving device wakes up by exiting a low power sleep state at the appropriate time. However, the ambient temperature of the region in which the receiving device is located and the age of any receiving device components, such as, for example, a battery and an oscillator, can impact the accuracy and tolerance of such synchronization. Accordingly, known systems must account for the worst case ambient temperature and aging of components when identifying a tolerance range. Such accounting can require the receiving device to exit a low power sleep state earlier than truly necessary, which can unnecessarily drain the battery life of the device. However, there are no known systems and methods for a wireless device to account for actual ambient temperature and actual age of device components, such as, for example, the battery and the oscillator, when identifying a tolerance range for synchronization.

Finally, when a wireless device is placed in an operating environment outside of the rated operating range, the device may not function properly. However, there are no known systems and methods for a wireless device to identify and detect such misuse and abuse of the wireless device.

In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for improved systems and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments disclosed herein can include systems and methods to increase battery life in and identify misuse of a wireless device using environmental sensors. In some embodiments, a wireless device can include a thermal sensor that can include an aging identification mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, the thermal sensor can be used to identify and maintain a record of ambient temperature values, including minimum and maximum temperature values, and an ambient temperature profile over time for the service time of the wireless device, which can be used to identify aging data for the device. In some embodiments, the identified data and information can be presented to a user during the installation or maintenance of a wireless device or when an ambient environment of the device changes during the service life of the device.

In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the wireless device can use the identified thermal sensor data and aging data, for example, data indicative of the service time of the device, to identify the age of the device or the device's battery or other components, for example, the oscillator, and accordingly, an expiration date thereof. For example, the duration and frequency of the time when a thermal sensor records ambient temperature can be used to identify the time that the wireless device has been in service (service time), which can correspond to the age of the device and device components. It is to be understood that the service time of the wireless device can be less than or equal to the service life of the device, but in some embodiments, indicative of the service life of the device.

In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the wireless device can use the identified thermal sensor data and aging data to effectively tune the drift wait time for transceivers and minimize a window of time during which the device is out of a low power sleep state, for example, when the device is a receiving device in a system that utilizes time synchronized wireless communications, thereby reducing the unnecessary receive waiting time for the receiving device. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the wireless device can also use the identified thermal sensor data and aging data to effectively reduce the drift in the start time for a transmitter in a wireless device, for example, when the device is a transmitting device in a system that utilizes time synchronized wireless communications. For example, the identified temperature profiles and the duration and frequency of the time when a thermal sensor records ambient temperature can be used to adjust algorithms that are used in the wireless device to compensate for thermal effects on a sensor of the device.

In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the wireless device can use the identified thermal sensor data and aging data to identify and inform a user when the wireless device has been adversely affected or misused during installation of service. For example, some embodiments disclosed herein can identify when the thermal sensor data is indicative of the wireless device being in an environment that has a temperature outside of the allowable temperature range for the device. Such indications can be useful, for example, to resolve warranty disputes related to the device. For example, identified temperature excursions outside of an allowable temperature range and the duration and frequency of the time when a thermal sensor records ambient temperature can be used to evaluate an installation environment and to identify whether a device has been properly installed in a controlled environment or in an impermissible location.

A wireless device as described and disclosed herein can include a device that has a primary function other than thermal sensing. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless device can include, but is not limited to, a security system input or output device, an addressable speaker strobe fire alarm notification device, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 in accordance with disclosed embodiments. As seen in FIG. 1, the system 100 can include a plurality of wireless devices 200 and a system controller 300, which can include, but is not limited to, a control panel, a remote monitoring station, a user device, or another wireless device 200.

Each wireless device 200 can include one or more of a battery 210, a user interface device 220, a transceiver 230, a memory device 240, a thermal sensing device 250, and a sensing device 260 such that the sensing device 260 is related to a function of the wireless device 200 and has a primary function other than thermal sensing. While FIG. 1 shows the battery 210, it is to be understood that the battery 210 can include a self-powered battery or a power line or receiver that receives power from an external power source, for example, when the device 200 includes one or more wired connections.

Each of the battery 210, the user interface device 220, the transceiver 230, the memory device 240, the thermal sensing device 250, and the sensing device 260 can be in communication with control circuitry 270, one or more programmable processors 270 a, and executable control software 270 b as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The executable control software 270 b can be stored on a transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium, including, but not limited to, local computer memory, RAM, optical storage media, magnetic storage media, flash memory, and the like. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 270, programmable processor 270 a, and control software 270 b can execute and control at least some of the methods described above and herein.

For example, the control circuitry 270, programmable processor 270 a, and control software 270 b can identify times when at least one of the transceiver 230 or the sensing device 260 is operating outside of a low power sleep state and, during those times, can instruct the thermal sensing device 250 to measure ambient temperature. The control circuitry 270, programmable processor 270 a, and control software 270 b can also record in the memory device 240 the measured ambient temperatures, as well as the times and time windows during which those temperatures were measured.

In some embodiments, the control circuitry 270, programmable processor 270 a, and control software 270 b can use the recorded ambient temperatures and associated times and the recorded time windows during which the recorded ambient temperatures were measured, which can correspond to the times during which the transceiver 230 or sensing device 260 were in operation, to identify the service time of the wireless device 200, the age, service life, and expiration date of the device 200, battery 210, and sensing device 260, to tune the drift wait time for the transceiver 230 when the device 200 is a receiving device and the system 100 utilizes time synchronized wireless communications, to tune the drift in the start time for the transceiver 230 when the device 200 is a transmitting device and the system 100 utilizes time synchronized wireless communications, to adjust algorithms executed by the control software 270 b that are used to compensate for thermal effects on the sensing device 260, to identify minimum and maximum recorded ambient temperature values, to identify an ambient temperature profile over the service time of the device 200, or to identify whether and the duration of when the device 200 has been exposed to a temperature outside of an allowable temperature range for the device 200.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the control circuitry 270, programmable processor 270 a, and control software 270 b can transmit, via the transceiver 230, the recorded ambient temperatures and associated times and the recorded time windows during which the recorded ambient temperatures were measured to the system controller 300, and control circuitry, a programmable processor, and control software of the system controller 300 can use the received data to identify the service time of the wireless device 200, the age, service life, and expiration date of the device 200, battery 210, and sensing device 260, to tune the drift wait time for the transceiver 230 when the device 200 is a receiving device and the system 100 utilizes time synchronized wireless communications, to tune the drift in the start time for the transceiver 230 when the device 200 is a transmitting device and the system 100 utilizes time synchronized wireless communications, to adjust algorithms executed by the control software 270 b that are used to compensate for thermal effects on the sensing device 260, to identify minimum and maximum recorded ambient temperature values, to identify an ambient temperature profile over the service time of device 200, or to identify whether and the duration of when the device 200 has been exposed to a temperature outside of an allowable temperature range for the device 200.

In some embodiments, the user interface device 220 or a user interface device of the system controller 300 can display the recorded ambient temperatures and associated times, the recorded time windows during which the recorded ambient temperatures were measured, or the associated information identified by the control circuitry 270, programmable processor 270 a, and control software 270 b of the device 200 or the control circuitry, programmable processor, and control software of the system controller 300.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic flows described above do not require the particular order described, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method described herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: identifying times during which at least one of a transceiver or a sensing device in a wireless device is operating outside of a low power sleep state; instructing a thermal sensing device in the wireless device to measure ambient temperatures of the wireless device during the identified times; recording the measured ambient temperatures and the identified times in a memory device of the wireless device; identifying a service time of the wireless device corresponding to the identified times; and using the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize a life of a battery of the wireless device.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein using the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize the life of the battery of the wireless device includes identifying an age or expiration date of the battery.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein using the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize the life of the battery of the wireless device includes tuning a drift wait time or a drift in a start time for the transceiver.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein using the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize the life of the battery of the wireless device includes adjusting a software algorithm used to compensate for thermal effects on the sensing device.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: transmitting the recorded ambient temperatures and the identified service time to a system controller, a mobile device, or a remote wireless device; and the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device using the received ambient temperatures or the received service times to optimize the life of the battery of the wireless device.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device using the received ambient temperatures or the received service time to optimize the life of the battery of the wireless device includes the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device identifying an age or expiration date of the battery.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device using the received ambient temperatures or the received service time to optimize the life of the battery of the wireless device includes the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device tuning a drift wait time or a drift in a start time for the transceiver.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device using the received ambient temperatures or the received service time to optimize the life of the battery of the wireless device includes the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device adjusting a software algorithm used to compensate for thermal effects on the sensing device.
 9. A method comprising: identifying times during which at least one of a transceiver or a sensing device in a wireless device is operating outside of a low power sleep state; instructing a thermal sensing device in the wireless device to measure ambient temperatures of the wireless device during the identified times; recording the measured ambient temperatures in a memory device of the wireless device; and using the recorded ambient temperatures to identify misuse of the wireless device.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein using the recorded ambient temperatures to identify misuse of the wireless device includes identifying a minimum value or a maximum value of the recorded ambient temperatures and determining whether at least one of the minimum value or the maximum value is outside of an allowable temperature range for the wireless device.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising: transmitting the recorded ambient temperatures to a system controller, a mobile device, or a remote wireless device; and the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device using the received ambient temperatures identify misuse of the wireless device.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device using the received ambient temperatures to identify misuse of the wireless device includes the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device identifying a minimum value or a maximum value of the received ambient temperatures and determining whether at least one of the minimum value or the maximum value is outside of an allowable temperature range for the wireless device.
 13. A wireless device comprising: a transceiver; a thermal sensing device; a memory device; a battery or power line; and a programmable processor and executable control software stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software identify times during which the transceiver is operating outside of a low power sleep state, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software instruct the thermal sensing device to measure ambient temperatures during the identified times, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software record, in the memory device, the measured ambient temperatures and the identified times, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software identify a service time of the wireless device corresponding to the identified times, and wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software use the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize a life of the battery or the power line.
 14. The wireless device of claim 13 wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software use the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize the life of the battery or the power line by identifying an age or expiration date of the battery or the power line.
 15. The wireless device of claim 13 wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software use the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize the life of the battery or the power line by tuning a drift wait time or a drift in a start time for the transceiver.
 16. The wireless device of claim 13 further comprising: a transceiver, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software transmit to a system controller, a mobile device, or a remote wireless device, via the transceiver, the recorded ambient temperatures and the identified service time, and wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software receive from the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device, via the transceiver, a signal with instructions to optimize the life of the battery or the power line.
 17. The wireless device of claim 16 wherein the signal includes instructions for tuning a drift wait time or a drift in a start time for the transceiver.
 18. The wireless device of claim 13 further comprising: a sensing device, wherein the sensing device has a primary function other than thermal sensing.
 19. The wireless device of claim 18 wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software use the recorded ambient temperatures or the identified service time to optimize the life of the battery or the power line by adjusting a software algorithm of the executable control software used to compensate for thermal effects on the sensing device.
 20. The wireless device of claim 18 further comprising: a transceiver, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software transmit to a system controller, a mobile device, or a remote wireless device, via the transceiver, the recorded ambient temperatures and the identified service time, and wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software receive from the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device, via the transceiver, a signal with instructions to optimize the life of the battery or the power line.
 21. The wireless device of claim 20 wherein the signal includes instructions for adjusting a software algorithm of the executable control software used to compensate for thermal effects on the sensing device.
 22. A wireless device comprising: a transceiver; a thermal sensing device; a memory device; a battery or power line; and a programmable processor and executable control software stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software identify times during which the transceiver is operating outside of a low power sleep state, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software instruct the thermal sensing device to measure ambient temperatures during the identified times, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software record, in the memory device, the measured ambient temperatures, and wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software use the recorded ambient temperatures to identify misuse of the wireless device.
 23. The wireless device of claim 22 wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software use the recorded ambient temperatures to identify misuse of the wireless device by identifying a minimum value or a maximum value of the recorded ambient temperatures and determining whether at least one of the minimum value or the maximum value is outside of an allowable temperature range for the wireless device.
 24. The wireless device of claim 22 further comprising: a transceiver, wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software transmit to a system controller, a mobile device, or a remote wireless device, via the transceiver, the recorded ambient temperatures, and wherein the programmable processor and the executable control software receive from the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device, via the transceiver, a signal with instructions to identify misuse of the wireless device.
 25. The wireless device of claim 24 wherein the signal includes instructions indicative of an invalid operation when the system controller, the mobile device, or the remote wireless device identifies a minimum value or a maximum value of the received ambient temperatures that is outside of an allowable temperature range for the wireless device.
 26. The wireless device of claim 22 further comprising: a sensing device, wherein the sensing device has a primary function other than thermal sensing. 